Fighting traffic tickets just got easier [in California]

[petronius]

Californians will be allowed to challenge most routine traffic tickets without having to first pay the contested fines under a bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The measure, which takes effect immediately, was one of 37 bills signed by the governor Wednesday. Others help homeless youths get high school degrees and allow early release for some terminally ill jail inmates.

The bill on traffic tickets is in response to widespread complaints that the current system lacks due process and that many motorists cannot afford to pay escalating court costs and can lose the use of their car if their license is suspended, making it harder to go to work or school.

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http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-gov-brown-provides-relief-for-ticketed-motorists-in-california-20150930-story.html

It would be better to rein in those ridiculous court fees etc, but this is a positive move.

Kind of funny that it's SB 405...

[villager]

1. I wonder if this will make cops slightly less prone to be shakedown artists?

Last edited Thu Oct 1, 2015, 03:05 PM - Edit history (1)

Certainly here in L.A. you could tell they had a mandate to fatten the city coffers. But now, with no money in advance and perhaps more people able to challenge in court, maybe the "easy money" for nonsensical stops won't be... quite so easy?

[SheilaT]

2. Interesting.

The one time I went to traffic court over a ticket (I'd run a red light and hit someone else), apparently the cop didn't show up that day in court as my ticket was dismissed. I think that's what happened. It was very long ago, as in about 1978, and I honestly didn't quite understand what was happening, but my name was called, the judge looked at something, then told me I was dismissed. Whew!

The only other time I was in traffic court I understood better what was going on, paid a fine, and that was that.